Kildare 2-14, Westmeath 1-06By Leinster PRO, Aisling Clery Photos Aisling Clery A 0-06 Player of the Match performance from Edwina Birchall helped Kildare to an U14 B Championship title in Manguard Plus Hawkfield on Saturday afternoon. Kildare led from the start, however, Westmeath pressured them all the way with the result still in the mix in the final ten minutes. Despite playing against the wind in the opening half, it was Kildare that set the pace with Maya Doyle, Orlaith O’Mahoney and a Birchall brace pushing them into a four point lead. A superb Emma Tumelty point was added to by Claire Gaffney and the gap was down to two. Both sides were moving the ball well but it was the Lillies that had more possession and Captain Ellie Kendrick was instrumental in linking play and setting up scores. Birchall split the posts for the third time and this was followed up a minute later by a fine Síofra Galvin score so Lillies led by four with a quarter of the game gone. Westmeath received a blow midway through the half as their forward was sinbinned. This did not seem to stop the side in maroon however as a minute later Lisa Seery was unlucky to miss a goal as her effort flashed wide of the goal. Down the other end, Kildare did not make the same mistake and Niamh Farrelly hit the net thanks to a timely pass from Síofra Galvin. Indeed, Westmeath had their goalkeeper, Ellie Temple and the uprights to thank for keeping them in contention as Kildare upped the pressure – Grace Murtagh’s effort rebounding off the crossbar. Westmeath upped the ante before the break and Tumelty converted a brace of pointed frees with Kildare keeper, Claudia Keenan called into action making an excellent save to ensure the Lillies led by four at the break; 1-06 to 0-05. The second half opened as the first with Kildare hitting four unanswered scores, Mayah Doyle, Síofra Galvin and Birchall all on the scoresheet. Westmeath were given a lifeline when Therese Murray found the net on 38 minutes. It was an encouraging score for Westmeath, and they added a Lisa Seery point to the board. However, Kildare were not to be denied and they finished the stronger. Birchall split the posts for her fifth score of the afternoon before substitute Allanah Prizeman hit the net for Kildare’s second goal of the contest, sealing the win. Kendrick, Birchall and substitute Abi Whelan all raised white flags as Kildare ran out comfortable winners, 2-14 to 1-06. Congratulations to both teams on a fine display of football and to Edwina Birchall on a most well deserved ‘Player of the Match’ accolade. Both sides were now get set for the new look All Ireland U14 competition which starts shortly.
Kildare scores: Edwin Birchall 0-06 (1F), Síofra Galvin 0-03, Niamh Farrelly 1-00, Allanah Prizeman 1-00, Maya Doyle 0-02, Orlaith O’Mahoney 0-01, Ellie Kendrick 0-01, Abi Whelan 0-01.
Westmeath scores: Emma Tumelty 0-04 (2Fs), Therese Murray 1-00, Claire Gaffney 0-01, Lisa Seery 0-01.
Kildare: Claudia Keenan, Zara Hurley, Eimear Glancy, Saoirse O Gorman, Erin Healy, Katy Halpin, Olivia Monaghan, Orlaith O’Mahoney, Mayah Doyle, Edwina Birchall, Ellie Kendrick(C), Síofra Galvin, Erin Brereton Foley, Niamh Farrelly, Grace Murtagh, Subs: Sorsha Filgate, Zara Beatty, Allanah Prizeman, Leah Mcgovern, Sarah McGovern, Maeve Maguire, Abi Whelan, Caoimhe Ni Bhuirchall, Mya Pardy, Eimear Touhy, Sarah Whelan, Chloe Wiltshire, Anna Price.
Kildare Subs used: Maeve McGuire for Erin Healy, Allanah Prizeman for Erin Brereton Foley, Sarah McGovern for Saoirse O Gorman, Zara Beatty for Eimear Glancy, Abi Whelan for Grace Murtagh
Westmeath: Ellie Temple, Henrietta Kiernan, Kelly Burke (C), Niamh McKenna, Neve Sweeney, Tori Coyne, Alanna Coogan, Claire Gaffney, Tegan Foley, Emer Fogarty, Aine Ditullio, Emma Tumelty, Therese Murray, Lisa Seery, Caoimhe McCormack.
Westmeath Subs: Saoirse Kenna, Sarah Conlon, Caoimhe Kilmurray, Millie Hagan, Rachel McKenna, Erin Hagan, Grace McGlynn, Ella Corcoran, Ellie O Sullivan, Caoimhe O’Donoghue, Ellen Foran, Kate Whyte, Emily Moore, Alysha Brown, Marie McKeogh.
Westmeath subs used: Caoimhe Kilmurray for Eimear Fogarty, Mille Hagan for Aine Ditullio, Sarah Conlon for Niamh Mckenna. Referee Kevin Phelan (Laois)

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